The New Face of Global Sports Marketing

The sports industry spends billions of dollars a year on advertising and PR to influence consumers' choices through endorsements, promotions, licensing, events, sponsorships and much more. Learn how our panel of pros develop and deliver winning campaigns - and how you can get into the game. RSVP

CHRISTINE FRANKLIN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OCTAGON

In her role as SVP, Christine Franklin manages a diverse team of consultants responsible for developing and implementing Mastercard’s global sponsorships strategy across experiential, issuer, merchant and culinary marketing disciplines.

Christine has worked with clients including AB InBev, BMW of North America, Fidelity Investments, MGM Mirage, across sponsorship consulting, event management, cause, loyalty and integrated marketing. She has created and implemented events and experiential programs with the world’s largest sports and entertainment properties including FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Open Championship, MLB, PGA TOUR, the New York City Wine & Food Festival, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and the GRAMMY Awards.

She is a member of IPG’s Women’s Leadership Network and WISE (Women in Sports and Events) organizations.

RAY WARREN, PRESIDENT, TELEMUNDO DEPORTES

Ray Warren is President of Telemundo Deportes. In this role, Warren oversees NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises’ growing sports business and leads its strategy across all its platforms and networks. He is responsible for developing opportunities for both existing franchises and future acquisitions with a keen focus on the FIFA World Cup properties.Warren joined NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises from NBC Sports, where he was Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of NBC Sports Regional Networks.

His thirty-plus year career spans several senior-level positions at leading advertising and media companies, including serving as President of Carat Media Group Americas, Managing Director of OMD USA, and President and CEO of Raycom Sports. He also held several senior sales positions at ABC Television Network.

Warren serves on the board of Citizens through Sports Alliance, the York College Foundation and the York College School of Journalism. He received his bachelor’s degree in communications from York College of The City University of New York.

SAMPSON YIMER, DIRECTOR, CLIENT SERVICES, NIELSEN SPORTS

Sampson joined Nielsen Sports in April 2016. He works across a variety of North American professional sports leagues and agencies with specific emphasis on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, CFL and Endeavor (formerly WME-IMG).

Prior to joining Nielsen Sports, Sampson worked on the rights holder’s side for the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena where he assisted with the implementation of a solutions-based model of consultative selling to sales staff based on industry best practices and innovation, including use of analytical tools to produce ROI metrics. Prior to that, Sampson spent time at Endeavor (formerly WME-IMG), specifically, in the IMG College group, managing the intellectual property rights for Big Ten Institutions and Notre Dame.

During his time in Atlanta, Sampson also served as an Adjunct Professor of Sports Law at Georgia State University, in the graduate Sports Administration program. Sampson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Sport Management from the University of Kansas and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin.

Ben Grossman is a strategic consultant to multiple companies – ranging from major, worldwide firms to start-ups - in the sports, television and technology industries, as well as an active investor in media, sports and technology-related businesses. He is also a co-owner of the Major League Soccer expansion franchise, Minnesota United.

Prior to opening his advisory and investment practice, Selhurst Media Ventures, he was Head of Global Operations for Twitter's media partnerships team. Previously, he was editor-in-chief of Broadcasting & Cable, overseeing the nation’s top weekly television industry trade publication, as well as the brand’s digital and event businesses. Other companies he has worked for or advised include Fox Sports, Microsoft, Major League Soccer, the Sports Business Daily and TV Guide.

A Minnesota native, he graduated with honors from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in economics and holds a MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, where he was awarded a Dean’s Fellowship.